In this screengrab from a video posted on May 11, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi offers prayers at Somnath temple, in Veraval, Gir Somnath district, Gujarat. Photo: @NarendraModi/Yt via PTI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (May 11, 2026) performed ‘Maha Pooja’ and other rituals at the Somnath Temple as part of the Somnath Amrut Mahotsav marking 75 years of the inauguration of the restored shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva.
After holding a roadshow, the Prime Minister entered the temple and performed ‘Maha Pooja’ and ‘Jalabhishek’, the ritual of pouring holy water over the Shivling amid chanting of Vedic mantras.
Mr. Modi also witnessed ‘Kumbhabhishek’, wherein holy water gathered from prominent pilgrimage sites across the country was sprinkled atop the temple’s ‘shikhar’ (towering spire) using a crane.
The Somnath Amrut Mahotsav is being organised to commemorate 75 years since the inauguration of the restored temple by India’s first President, Dr Rajendra Prasad, in 1951.
The Prime Minister, accompanied by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and his deputy Harsh Sanghavi, watched an airshow performed by the Indian Air Force’s Suryakiran aerobatic team (SKAT) over the temple.
Using indigenous smoke pods, the jets of the Suryakiran team released saffron, white and green smoke to create the image of the tricolour in the sky.
The Prime Minister is scheduled to address a public gathering at Sadbhavana Ground later in the day.
Earlier in the day, Mr. Modi held a roadshow in Gujarat’s Gir Somnath district, ahead of his participation in the Somnath Amrut Mahotsav, which marks 75 years of the inauguration of the restored temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
A large number of people lined up along the nearly 1.5-km route from the helipad to Veer Hamirji Circle near the famous Somnath temple to greet PM Modi. Photo: X/@PTI_News
A large number of people lined up along the nearly 1.5-km route from the helipad to Veer Hamirji Circle near the famous Somnath temple to greet PM Modi.
Artists from different parts of the country, including West Bengal, performed traditional dances at designated spots along the route.
The Prime Minister arrived in Jamnagar on Sunday (May 10, 2026) night as part of his two-day visit to Gujarat and stayed there overnight before arriving in Somnath on Monday (May 11, 2026) morning.
The Somnath temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and is a symbol of India’s enduring faith and civilisational heritage.
The Somnath Amrut Mahotsav is being organised to commemorate 75 years since the inauguration of the restored temple by India’s first President, Dr Rajendra Prasad, in 1951.
Published – May 11, 2026 11:36 am IST
